New school exam : Dundee MSP urges Scottish Government for “sufficient finance and resources for city’s participation”

16 June 2009

Marlyn Glen is asking Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop to ensure that Dundee’s participation in the new science baccalaureate and the language baccalaureate exams for senior schools pupils next year ” will have the necessary finance and resources provided by the Scottish Government to ensure as large as possible participation by the city.”

Ms. Glen has received information from Dundee City Council that it has entered into a partnership with both Abertay University and Dundee College to provide pupils with the opportunity to study for the Baccalaureate from the start of the new year.

The council say that the final numbers will not be confirmed until the results of the current SQA diet of examinations, as this may have an impact on pupil choice and their entitlement to take part in the Baccalaureate.

At present the provisional numbers indicate that 20 pupils across the city will participate in the science baccalaureate and 2 pupils in the language baccalaureate.

The baccalaureates will be made up of two subjects at Advanced Higher level with another at Higher, plus an Interdisciplinary project at Advanced Higher level.

Ms Glen said that she was asking Ms. Hyslop for details of the provision of Advanced Highers in Dundee and in which subjects.

Ms. Glen said,

” Participation in the new baccalaureate exam depends upon these courses being provided in the city.

“This in turn will depend upon the number of staff available.

” It is the responsibility of the Minister and her Government to ensure that additional funding and resources are made available to ensure as large as possible participation by Dundee in the new exam awards.”